The Coastal Zone

Portrush Coastal Zone is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) main coastal and marine centre. Discovery pools and tanks along with displays and activities give visitors the chance to learn more about Northern Ireland’s marine and coastal wildlife and heritage.

At the rear of the centre is a viewing platform which affords excellent views towards the sea. From here dolphins, seals and harbour porpoises can sometimes be seen. The Portrush Coastal Zone is owned and run by DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division and housed in what was an old Victorian Bath House. It is located at the western end of the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), an area rich in natural and historical interest. The Centre provides information and interpretation on the marine and coastal environment and overlooks the Skerries and Causeway Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This SAC was the first marine protected area in the UK for harbour porpoise and these wonderful creatures can often be spotted from our viewing platform. The Centre is also situated immediately adjacent to the Portrush National Nature Reserve (NNR) designated for its geology and fossils. The geodiversity of the north coast can be explored by visitors to the Centre through storyboards and a Virtual Reality suite installed in partnership with the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust as part of the European-funded Drifting Apart project.

Opening times

June - September 10:00 - 16:30 daily

Price from £

Free